Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

SHOPPING 153
Finds A Surf Adventure
If you’ve always fancied learning to surf, then head for Waves Surf School
(& 1800/851 101 in Australia, or mobile 0414/682 228; www.wavessurf
school.com.au). They take budding surfers on 1-day trips from Sydney to
the Royal National Park with equipment and lunch provided. Trips cost
A$65 (US$42). If you’re young enough to sleep the night in a “doubledecker
party bus,” you might consider a 2-day surfing trip to Seal Rocks,
north of Sydney, for A$169 (US$110). The company also takes travelers on
a 4-day surfing trip for A$399 (US$259).
Sydney by Sail (& 02/9280 1110) offers learn to sail courses on Sydney
Harbour. A long, 1-day introductory course costs A$450 (US$293).
8 Spectator Sports
CRICKET The Sydney Cricket Ground, at the corner of Moore Park and
Driver Avenue, is famous for its 1-day and test matches, played October through
March. Phone the New South Wales Cricket Association at & 02/9339 0999
for match details, and Sportspace Tours (& 02/9380 0383) for stadium tours.
FOOTBALL In this city, “football” means rugby league. If you want to see
burly chaps pound into each other while chasing an oval ball, then be here
between May and September. The biggest venue is the Sydney Football Stadium,
Moore Park Road, Paddington (& 02/9360 6601). Match information
is available at & 1900/963 133. Buy tickets at Ticketek (& 02/9266 4800).
HORSE RACING Sydney has four horse-racing tracks: Randwick, Canterbury,
Rosehill, and Warwick Farm. The most central and best known is Randwick
Racecourse, Alison Street, Randwick (& 02/9663 8400). The biggest
race day of the week is Saturday. Entry costs A$9 (US$5.85) per person. Call the
Sydney Turf Club at & 02/9930 4000 with questions about Rosehill and Canterbury,
and the Randwick number above for Warwick Farm.
SURFING CARNIVALS Every summer these uniquely Australian competitions
bring large crowds to Sydney’s beaches, as surf clubs compete against each
other in various watersports. Contact the Surf Lifesaving Association (& 02/
9597 5588) for times and locations. Other beach events include Iron Man and
Iron Woman competitions, during which Australia’s fittest struggle it out in
combined swimming, running, and surfing events.
YACHT RACING While sailing competitions take place on the harbor most
summer weekends, the start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race on Boxing
Day (Dec 26) is something not to be missed. The race starts from the harbor
near the Royal Botanic Gardens.
9 Shopping
You’ll find plenty of places to keep your credit cards in action in Sydney. Most
shops of interest to the visitor are located in The Rocks and along George and
Pitt streets (including the shops below the A.M.P. Centerpoint Tower and along
the Pitt Street Mall). Other shopping precincts worth checking out are Mosman
on the North Shore and Double Bay in the eastern suburbs for exclusive boutique